Macklemore performing “Same Love,” the gay national anthem, at the Grammy’s 2014. His performance stole the show, many have said. Photo: CBS

By: Christine Nicco/TRT Reporter—
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis basked in the limelight of the Grammys’s 2014 defining performance at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Music’s biggest night was grand to the duo who secured Grammy’s in four categories, including a sweep of the major rap categories and a best new artist, while also recognizing them as the fore figures leading to what many may consider as one of the most historic moments in the show’s history. View the performance here!

As the Staples Center turned into a techno ministry, Macklemore delivered “Same Love,” the pair’s gay rights anthem. Along with out singer Mary Lambert and a snippet performance by gay rights advocate, Maddona, the song’s lyrics spoke of ignorance, lack of rights, same-sex marriage and how they, the performers, supported it. Macklemore performed “Same Love” passionately along with Lambert.

“No freedom till we’re equal, damn right I support it,” the lyrics clearly written for gay rights as the crowd cheers grew larger and hands went up in the air showing support for gay rights too. The lyrics criticized the “right wing” and condemned the ex-gay therapy ministries, while praising being created by the same God and moving forward with equality for all. [pullquote]Same Love is Macklemore and Ryan Lewis gay rights anthem. “No freedom till we’re equal, damn right I support it,” the lyrics clearly written for gay rights as the crowd cheers grew larger and hands went up in the air showing support for gay rights too.[/pullquote]

If you missed the Grammy’s, you missed history and an “in your face” sign that times are changing. “Whatever God you believe in, we all come from the same one … Strip away the fear, underneath there’s all the same love,” said Queen Latifah as she introduced “Same Love,” and people witnessed equality in the works at the Staples Center, in millions of homes in the U.S., and around the world. Macklemore performed Same Love passionately along with Lambert. Towards the end, Madonna sang a version of her classic “Open Your Heart,” arranged in the key of the traditional wedding march, while backed by a gospel choir before joining Lambert for a snippet of “Same Love.”

At the same time, many celebrities tweeted about the moment and what it meant to them.

As the song lyrics were coming to an end, Queen Latifah officiated the marriage of 33 couples, all ready to exchange vows. What was historical about it? These couples were the most diverse — gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, credo — and all were married live and in solidarity in front of America’s largest mass media platform. The political statement couldn’t have been louder. [pullquote]”Whatever God you believe in, we all come from the same one … Strip away the fear, underneath there’s all the same love,” said Queen Latifah as she introduced “Same Love,” and people witnessed equality in the works at the Staples Center, in millions of homes in the U.S., and around the world.[/pullquote]

Celebrities gave a standing ovation to the couples and the performers, as they too fought back tears, perhaps realizing they had been witness to a profound moment in history, in same-sex marriage history, all to support marriage equality.